# Castello di Carimate

- **Country:** Italy
- **Coordinates:** 45.702845, 9.115300
- **Location Text:** Carimate

The Castello di Carimate is a historic 14th-century fortress situated in the town of Carimate within the Province of Como, Lombardy, Italy. Originally reconstructed in 1345 by Luchino I Visconti on the site of a citadel destroyed during conflicts between Como and Milan, the structure exemplifies Gothic architecture. The building features a large square block with a central courtyard, a tall brick tower at the southwest corner, and distinctive elements such as mullioned windows, crenellated rooflines, and remnants of a portcullis and drawbridge. Its strategic location and imposing design made it a significant stronghold for the powerful Visconti family, who later granted the estate to loyal captains and retained influence through subsequent generations.

Throughout its history, the castle hosted notable figures, including Bianca Maria Sforza and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I, who stayed there in the late 15th century. The property underwent major refurbishments in 1481 under Lancelotto Visconti and again in 1874 by Count Bernardo Arnaboldi Gazzaniga, who filled the residence with an extensive collection of art and tapestries. Following the extinction of the Visconti male line in the late 18th century, ownership passed to the Arnaboldi family before entering the modern era. The interior today retains neo-Gothic ribbing and ceiling decorations added during these 19th-century renovations, preserving the aesthetic grandeur of its past.

In contemporary times, the castle serves as a luxurious 50-room hotel and spa located just thirty minutes from Milan, offering guests access to an adjacent golf course and an on-site restaurant. Beyond its hospitality functions, the site holds a unique place in music history as the former home of Stone Castle Studios. Between 1977 and 1987, this recording facility attracted international fame, hosting legendary artists such as Yes, Paul Young, Nena, and prominent Italian musicians like Fabrizio De André and Lucio Dalla, blending medieval heritage with modern cultural significance.

![Photo of Castello di Carimate](http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Carimate%20Castle.jpg)

**Source:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castello_di_Carimate (Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)